Explore the Cyber Made Human Bookshelf
In today’s digital and fast-paced world, finding time to immerse yourself in a good book can feel like a luxury. As self-confessed book lovers, we celebrate the timeless allure of literature on the Cyber Made Human podcast, the Cyber Podcast in Gloucestershire, and invite each of our expert guests to share their favourite reads. All varying in genres and themes, allowing us and our listeners to explore literature through the lens ofthe person who loved it. Host Alice Violet has always felt books are a great way to get to know people, whether it’s asking friends and family for their favourite book or suggesting one you love. We have highlighted each of the following as they offer thought-provoking escapism or education to us as readers.
Whether you’re a regular reader like us or intrigued to reignite your passion for reading, these curated recommendations cater to all tastes and interests, from travel guides to romance autobiographies.
As podcasters, we also enjoy audiobooks which are great if you’re short on time or simply want the option to multitask while you read.
Here are our top book suggestions from Cyber Made Human so far.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
Recommended by: Alice Violet
Episode: The Quantum Apocalypse and Encryption: Sorting Fact from Fiction
Initially self-published in 2014, Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur is a collection of poetry and prose that explores themes of love, loss, trauma and healing. Written all in lowercase, a nod to Kaur’s mother tongue Gurmukhi and the script of Punjabi, this offers a beautifully soft way to present some heavy and powerful poetry. Kaur has said she enjoys the “level of equality this visuality” brings to her work as it aligns with the visual representation of what she wants to see more of in the world. Alice has all her books and journals and thoroughly recommends them as a great introduction to poetry.
Japan by Lonely Planet
Recommended by: Debi McCormack from The Cyber Scheme
Episode: The Power of Language
From bamboo groves and Buddhist architecture to hot springs and where to find the best, authentic Japanese food, Lonely Planet’s Experience Japan will be your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see (and skip) whilst immersing yourself in the Japanese way of life. Our guest Debbie recommends it ahead of her travels later this year. As someone who doesn’t read regularly, she explains how turning off a screen and physically bookmarking pages adds anticipation to her upcoming adventure.
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
Recommended by: Alice Violet
Episode: The Power of Language
This rollercoaster of a story had host Alice Violet laughing out loud on her recent flight home from New York. Finding out her husband was cheating on her while six months pregnant doesn’t sound very funny, but author Nora Ephron manages to make it so. Love, betrayal, loss and Revenge, this autobiographical novel originally published in 1983, tells the story of relationships, cheating husbands and marriage through the unfiltered lens eyes of a hormonal, insecure, and hilariously relatable character. “I always thought during the pain of the marriage that one day it would make a funny book”. This is a short read so perfect for anyone else with a journey coming up.
I Never Knew That About England by Christopher Winn
Recommended by: Paul Ducklin, Cyber Security Specialist
Episode: The Quantum Apocalypse and Encryption: Sorting Fact from Fiction
Citing Duck’s history studying Classics, and being a fantastic unofficial teacher during Alice’s first role in cybersecurity, she asks Duck to take us on a history of encryption. What follows is a simple, yet visual illustration from the times of ancient Sparta. Following this theme of the origin of words, Duck recommends Winn’s first and best-selling book ‘I Never Knew That About England’. It’s the ultimate journey through history, personality and fascinating trivia within our country. This affectionate and entertaining perspective looks at English people our triumphs, falls and traditions, from cheese rolling in Gloucestershire to the origins of cricket in Hampshire.
Educated by Tara Westover
Our World Book Day recommendation
Embodying themes of self-discovery, challenging ingrained beliefs and forging one’s path to truth, Educated by Tara Westover is a fascinating story of self-reliance. She sheds light on the importance of education from the perspective of growing up in rural Idaho in a strict and sometimes abusive survivalist Mormon family. At sixteen, she navigated the complexities of her upbringing, which told her education of brainwashing by the government. With barely any childhood schooling, Tara went on to study at Cambridge University and Harvard after making the bold and scary decision to embark on a journey to self-education. This is an inspirational and moving read.
The Brain by David Eagleman
Recommended by: Adam Bolas, founder of INSINTO and Digital Woof AI
Episode: How to keep children safe online
Published in 2015, The Brain by David Eagleman ‘Is a story of how your life shapes your brain, and how your brain shapes your life’. It’s a surprisingly readable journey into the worlds of extreme sports, criminal justice, genocide, brain surgery, robotics and the search for immortality, all whilst explaining the key concepts of critical neurological research and its direct link to the above extremities in life. The renowned neuroscientist Eagleman writes in a language that makes it accessible for the average reader to discover and we’ve noticed both author and text referenced in many other books we’ve read since.
Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
Recommended by: Ellie Carolan
Finally, I can’t miss out on an opportunity to share my favourite book, Ikigai. It is an international bestseller which delves into the profound philosophy cherished by the people of Japan living on the island of Okinawa. With its blend of inspiration and reassurance, the book offers invaluable tools for discovering one’s personal ikagai, advocating for a fulfilling existence; encouraging readers to find their reason to wake up and embrace their purpose, deep friendships and passionate pursuits within their own lives. From the society renowned for their longevity, harmonious ‘state of flow’ and healthy lifestyle, the book delves into the comparisons between Western society and our ancestors addressing ways in which we can adopt this way of living for a more fulfilled existence.
Are you a fellow book lover, what books have you found yourself drawn to lately?
Whether you love a timeless classic, a gripping bestseller or a cyber fact file. Maybe you’re embarking on your reading journey, so consider exploring these five handpicked suggestions first. We will continue to share our favourite books throughout the year on the show and social media, so if you have adored a book this month or perhaps are currently reading one, send us an email info@alicevioletcreative.com so that together, we can enrich our reading repertoire!
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ALICE
I founded Alice Violet Creative to help technical and cybersecurity brands cut through complexity with sharp, engaging content. With 15 years of experience spanning luxury travel and cybersecurity, I’ve gone from hands-on content production to leading a growing team, shaping strategy, and driving impactful storytelling.
I’m passionate about building communities and sharing knowledge. You’ll often find me speaking at industry events, mentoring professionals, or collaborating in Cheltenham’s creative spaces—always looking for ways to push boundaries and elevate brand storytelling.
SPECIALISMS
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+. Creative Direction
+. Podcasting
+. Photography
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+. Writing
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